Are you considering a job change? Do you feel that you are underpaid? Have you heard that the cost of living in Arizona is cheaper than in other major U.S. cities but that Phoenix salaries are lower? If you replied "yes" to any of these questions, then the following information on types of jobs and the salaries being paid for those jobs will definitely interest you.

In the chart below I have extracted some high level data about types of jobs in the Phoenix area and the salaries associated with that type of position, both median and average.

I also present the U.S. average hourly rate for that category, so you can compare. The salary data was provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and was calculated from data collected from employers of every size in the greater Phoenix area in 2011.

Finally, I have provided a link for each category to a site where you can search job openings. I simply took one popular job/position from that category as an example; there are many more jobs/positions covered by each category than the one I mention.

Metropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Greater Phoenix (May 2013)

These statistics cover the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

Management
Median Hourly: $43.37
Average Hourly: $49.82
Average Annual: $103,620
How Many Employed In This Field: 97,100
U.S. Average Hourly: $53.15

Search for operations management positions in the Phoenix area.

Business and Financial Operations
Median Hourly: $28.27
Average Hourly: $30.81
Average Annual: $64,080
How Many Employed In This Field: 93,390
U.S.

Average Hourly: $34.14

Search for accountant positions in the Phoenix area.

Computer and Mathematical
Median Hourly: $36.42
Average Hourly: $37.58
Average Annual: $78,170
How Many Employed In This Field: 59,860
U.S. Average Hourly: $39.43

Search for computer software engineer positions in the Phoenix area.

Architecture and Engineering
Median Hourly: $33.99
Average Hourly: $36.78
Average Annual: $78,520
How Many Employed In This Field: 39,620
U.S. Average Hourly: $38.51

Search for electrical engineering positions in the Phoenix area.

Life, Physical and Social Science
Median Hourly: $26.78
Average Hourly: $28.89
Average Annual: $60,090
How Many Employed In This Field: 9,430
U.S. Average Hourly: $33.37

Search for market research analyst positions in the Phoenix area.

Community and Social Services
Median Hourly: $18.97
Average Hourly: $20.51
Average Annual: $42,650
How Many Employed In This Field: 24,300
U.S. Average Hourly: $21.50

Search for counselor positions in the Phoenix area.

Legal
Median Hourly: $36.22
Average Hourly: $48.70
Average Annual: $101,290
How Many Employed In This Field: 13,310
U.S. Average Hourly: $47.89

Search for lawyer positions in the Phoenix area.

Education, Training and Library
Median Hourly: $19.17
Average Hourly: $22.11
Average Annual: $45,990
How Many Employed In This Field: 96,910
U.S. Average Hourly: $24.76

Search for teaching positions in the Phoenix area.

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media
Median Hourly: $19.44
Average Hourly: $23.32
Average Annual: $48,500
How Many Employed In This Field: 22,240
U.S. Average Hourly: $26.72

Search for graphic designer jobs in the Phoenix area.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Median Hourly: $32.64
Average Hourly: $37.20
Average Annual: $77,370
How Many Employed In This Field: 93,590
U.S. Average Hourly: $35.93

Search for registered nurse positions in the Phoenix area.

Healthcare Support
Median Hourly: $13.90
Average Hourly: $14.94
Average Annual: $31,070
How Many Employed In This Field: 47,890
U.S. Average Hourly: $13.61

Search for home health aide jobs in the Phoenix area.

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